Johnson smokes field to win gold for Eagles as nationals approach

NORMAN, Okla. — The A&M-Texarkana Eagles wrapped up competition at the SNU Indoor Invitational on the campus of the University of Oklahoma with several impressive showings building up to the national championships in February.

David Johnson clocked a time of 16:09 to win the Men's 5000-meter event for the Eagles' top finish, Minana Magassa came in fourth in the Women's 800 Meters and freshman Zalenka Brannan was fifth in the Women's 600 Yards. Johnson's time was almost 45 full seconds faster than the second-place runner, who finished at 16:53.72.

Shea Johnson and Chapman White finished in the Top 10 during the Men's 600 Yards, while Magassa and Daniela Hernandez were scheduled to run the Women's 3000 Meters but were declared healthy scratches prior to race time.

The Eagles will compete again Friday, Feb. 9 in Fayetteville, Ark. at the Tyson Invitational, one of two remaining competitions prior to the NAIA Indoor Championships on Feb. 29 in South Dakota.

Women's 600 Yards

5. Zalenka Brannan, Fr.             1:34.30

Women's 800 Meters

4. Minan Magassa, Jr.                 2:28.84

Men's 600 Yards

8. Shea Johnson, Soph.            1:21.24

10. Chapman White, Fr.           1:24.18

Men's 5000 Meters

1. David Johnson, Jr.                    16:09.32